Can you handle six days of films and parties? Here's how I plan to do it.

ShortFest opening day means activities at the movies, filmmaker's lounge, and an after party. We tried the itinerary for ourselves, and mingled with festival goers about why they attended. (June 23, 2016)

Denise Figueroa/ The Desert Sun

Long before I helped cover the film festivals in Palm Springs for work, I was going to screenings and the after-parties on my own for pure pleasure.

It's still enjoyable, but now going to the Palm Springs International ShortFest is actually part of my job.

The ShortFest logo projected at the entrance of a party in 2016.

The ShortFest logo projected at the entrance of a party in 2016.

Xochitl Pena/The Desert Sun

What I love about shorts is that if one isn't doing it for me, I know it will be over soon enough.

And what I love about the after-parties is they are all well attended by the filmmakers - whether it's the directors, producers or actors - so it's easy to strike up a conversation and get to know the people on both sides of the camera. The one thing I've learned over the years, short filmmakers love to talk about their projects and hear feedback.

But the parties are not only held to entertain the moviegoers, they are an important part of the entire festival experience for the filmmaker.

ShortFest last year was attended by more than 600 directors, writers, actors and young producers, and is primarily an educational initiative with its panels and classes. The socializing aspect for the filmmakers is key to networking and cultivating relationships, whether it’s at the parties, the filmmakers lounge or the film marketplace where industry members can watch all the submitted shorts.

“Where they really get to know each other is the parties,” said Lili Rodriguez, director of the ShortFest.

She’s heard the stories firsthand of filmmakers who meet at a party and liked each other so much they begin to work together.

Scenes during the awards ceremony for the 2016 Palm Springs International ShortFest at the Camelot ...more

Scenes during the awards ceremony for the 2016 Palm Springs International ShortFest at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs on Sunday, June 26, 2016.

Taya Gray/Special to The Desert Sun

These festival soirees are once again being held nightly. The shorts are all screened at Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs.

Here's my game plan and suggested programs to hit right before the various parties:

Tuesday: The festival kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a screening of eight “fun, touching and feel-good films” followed by the Opening Night Party at Lulu California Bistro, 200 S Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, a film festival staple for parties. $60 for screening and party.

Wednesday: Start the night with the C’est La Vie! screening of five French shorts at 7 p.m. followed by the Palm Springs Speaks French Party from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Trio, 707 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. The party honors the French-language films and filmmakers and includes some Karaoke for those that love to sing. $13 for screening. $25 for party.

Filmmakers have fun with the backdrop during a ShortFest party in 2016 at Arrive Hotel.

Filmmakers have fun with the backdrop during a ShortFest party in 2016 at Arrive Hotel.

Xochitl Pena/The Desert Sun

Thursday: Two program screenings – Gay!La HERS at 7 p.m. and Gay!La HIS at 7:30 p.m. each explore what it means to be a lesbian and gay man, respectively. The Gay! La party celebrates diversity in cinema from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Toucan’s Tiki Lounge, 2100 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. $13 for screening. $25 for party.

Friday: Catch the screening of We are the Champions at 7:30 p.m. with eight films that touch on competition and the drive for greatness. Follow that up with the Polaroid Eyewear’s Be Free, Let Loose Party, where guests might be wearing sunglasses at night, from 10 p.m. to midnight at Ace Hotel, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. $13 for screening. $25 for party.

Saturday: Two of my favorite screenings compete with each other. The Star Power program at 7:30 p.m. with six shorts featuring A-list actors and the Thrills and Chills program at 8 p.m. with seven suspenseful and thrilling shorts (I haven't decided which one to attend yet). The Lexus Short Film Party will feature a special DJ set by F*ckjazzforaminute, better known as Michael Lerman, the Palm Springs International Film Festival artistic director, from 10 p.m. to midnight at TheBank, 383 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. $13 for screening. The party is unfortunately sold out already.

Sunday: Awards will be handed out to the winning films and filmmakers starting at 6:30 p.m and include the screenings of some of the films. It will be followed up by a Closing Night Party to celebrate the winners and the spirit of short film at Hilton Palm Springs, 400 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. $50 for awards and party.